Gear Review: Hydrapak Stash Collapsible Bottle

At 2.25 ounces, this bottle probably doesn't qualify as lightweight, but I'm not sure where else to post my question. Please remove if not appropriate.
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Does anyone use collapsible or foldable bottles? I've been using the Hydrapak Stash for the last month, at home, work, the gym and on the trail. So far I have been impressed.


Gear Review: Hydrapak Stash Collapsible Bottle

For those that do use this type of bottle, do you ever mix electrolyte replacement drinks in them?

I have used collapsible bottles on the trail for more than a decade now. I use the 2-liter Platypus bottles, mainly because they are readily available, durable and provide good utility for their weight. I know they are very durable because I've given them plenty of use, folding them and unfolding them hundreds of times. Only once has a bottle sprung a leak and it was a pinhole-sized leak that didn't cause any real grief before I discovered it.

I never mix any form of flavored powder in my water bottles, because I like to drink plain water on the trail.

Your review isn't very detailed. What size bottle are you using which weighs 2.25 ounces? What is it that impresses you about these bottles? What led you to select this bottle over others? About the only thing I can tell about them from your post is that they come in orange, have a slightly wide mouth and a small strap attached.

Interesting. Wider mouth than most Platys means easier filling, cleaning and drying.

What's "TPU"? Is it puncture-resistant, patchable? Is water taste-free after sitting in the sun?

Cheers,

The nice thing about collapsible bottles is that you can take extra water storage for basically no extra space in your pack. For extra storage (used mainly when camped), I use Evernew bottles, primarily because the lid is attached to the bottle with a plastic thong, so no worries about the lid's ending up a hundred feet down the hill below the trail! For drinking on the trail I use Smart Water bottles which have the handy fliptop lid. You have to pay for the water, but after that the bottle is free or (in Oregon) 5 cents. Those bottles are tough, too, and last a long time. I have some that are three years old that I can't tell from ones purchased last fall. I wish I'd marked them so I could tell them apart!

HG, I also would like to know the capacity of your bottle. Unless it's at least 2.5 liters, it is far heavier than I'd want to carry. For comparison, the Evernew 2 liter bottle is 1.5 oz.

There is one other advantage to collapsible bottles: when you drink out of them, you can collapse them to take up the empty space...so you don't have to listen to your water bottles gurgle and splash with every step you take along the trail.

The space-saving thing is a bit misleading. Yes, they take up no space when they're empty. But, when they're full, the need the same amount of space as a hard bottle. Now, it's normally only for a few hours, so in a well-planned load, you'll be able to accomodate it: a sleeping pad can strap on the outside for a few hours, you'll have an expansion sleeve that can be expanded, or you can lash the water to the outside of the pack.

But, if you're going to leave the extra space in your pack in a "permanent" way, say by using a 60 liter pack instead of a 50, then the space saved (or "reserved" for the full bottle makes collapsibility somewhat extraneous.

Having said that, I will also say that I carry collapsible bladders regularly. I don't use bottles, per se; I use an MSR Dromlite, which (filled with air or water) makes a really nice pillow.

I use inexpensive collapsible bottles like this. They're only a a buck or two and pretty lightweight. I use a Britta Squeeze Charcoal Filter with them.

There is currently only one Stash available - 750 ml. My main reason for wanting a collapsible bottle when hiking:



Why I like it over other things I've tried:


Much of this is obviously personal preference. Based on some suggestions I have received, I am going to look at the Nalgene Canteen, Vapur collapsible water bottles, and Evernew bottles. Any other suggestions?

I am realizing the bottle doesn't qualify as lightweight. Should it be posted somewhere else, or not at all? I am still feeling my way around this forum.

Speaking for myself, your review is certainly welcome. I suspect when it comes to something as "dialed in" as water transport is for many, it takes something pretty dramatic to get us to reconsider our standbys.

Cheers,

I generally take on each trip:
2 L Platypus bag (for collecting dirty water - doubles as my pillow)
1/2 L Sawyer bag (for the rare powdered drink mix)
1 L Powerade/Gatorade bottle (what I normally drink from)

I've not had a problem with the Platypus or Sawyer bags not standing up on flat ground without a cap.

As you mentioned, I have lost 1 empty Gatorade bottle while bushwhacking down a brushy, steep hillside.